The Luxman CL-1000
 

My local dealer Audio Video Therapy just received the new Luxman CL-1000 preamp. It was hooked up to the MQ-300 tube amp. He used the 10K floor standing Paradigm Persona . It's rated at 92db. The preamp had an excellent smooth and dynamic sound. The recordings that were streamed had no digital harshness. More like a quality tape or music from a high end TT. The fit and finish is impeccable. This is one preamp that belongs w/other preamps as one of the best audio products available.:thumbsup:

Luxman38.......Good looking preamplifier.


https://img03.hamazo.tv/usr/t/s/u/ts...977_edited.jpg

I really like the retro styling.

:thumbsup:

$20,000 :yikes:

No $19,995:D

A friend has the predecessor C-1000. Looks very much the same, but solid-state. He said he would sell it for 1/4 the cost of the tube model. :)

Luxman38,

I will be at AVT on Sunday. John wants to hear my Gato monos paired with the CL-1000. Maybe I will see you there!

Greg

I need to get up there and check out all the cool goodies at AVT once again. Last time I was there a couple years ago it cost me $10Gs.

I read that it has no remote control. Being the lazy guy I am guess I'll have to stick with the C-900u which has been their flagship model for several years until this release. :D

That's cheaper than a ten minute call with Ivan! :D

^^^

:laughin:

:roflmao:

I'm working that day. Have fun w/the demo. You may want to try it w/the Spendor Classic. Build is similar to your Harbeth 40.2's. Also remind John to warm up the Luxman. I found after 1/2 hour in the Preamp opened up. It's new and w/tubes it needs some break-in.:thumbsup:

That was fun!
 

Yesterday, I spent some time with the CL-1000 paired with my Gato PWR-222 mono blocks.

We started out with the Spendor speakers but they did not have anywhere close to the sonic signature of my Harbeth 40.2 Anniversary speakers. Instead, we tried the Sonner Audio Legato Duo - they worked much better.

No doubt, this the best pre-amp Luxman has every made. Incredible detail with layers and layers of music! I truly love the combination of tube pre with SS amplification.

As some have mentioned, there is no remote but there is a SS phono stage. I was offered to take it home for a few days but I will have little time to try it this week. At $20,000 this preamp should be good!

At this point, its little brother CL-38u SE will keep me happy. Not sure if I can justify any extravagant expenditures for a while.


https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...7&d=1577103990



https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...8&d=1577104010




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Hey Greg - I recognize that room! - met Michael Kelly and bought the Aerials there a few years back. Your Gatos are looking good ---

The CL-1000 defiantly can compete w/any top of the line tube preamps on the market. The CL38U-SE is a great preamp. I agree w/combinig it w/a SS amp. In my case it's a Bryston SST2. I've heard the Gato's and they are truly impressive. In my opinion the 38 is a great bargain. I had checked out more expensive preamps in the 10K-12K region and this preamp beat them all. :thumbsup:

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Luxman CL-1000
 

Hello all...thank you for accepting me as a new member!

Just wondering: I’m told the USA version of the Luxman CL-1000 flagship has a ‘throw in’ solid state phono card. The Japanese and European versions are line stage only if my information is correct. The lower CL-38 variations has an excellent integrated tuned phono stage with individual step up transformers. Would a vinyl aficionado be better off with the lower model or is the solid state phono card with the flagship CL-1000 line stage preferable? Interesting contrast...thanks for your responses in advance.

The phono is equal to the $2250 E-250 phono. I would venture to guess if you were spending 20K on a preamp you'd want a top of the line phono. I have the CL38U-SE and the three tube phono is excellent. Very quite w/excellent channel separation. At it's current price it's quite a steal. :thumbsup:

Art Dudley has a very nice review in this month's Sterophile on the CL-1000.

Hi
I have a MQ 300 and a CL 38 u SE.
has someone had the chance to compare a CL 38 u with a CL 1000?

Actually I found it somewhat "disturbing" that a 20K Pre-Amp isn't heads and tails above one you can get for 5-6K used (Monbrison)

MusicLoverBkln... Welcome to AA! :wave:

As a good rule-of-thumb, unless one has something "tres chic" and in high demand, used prices are about 60% of new. So we are comparing a $13K used CL1000 with many bells & whistles to a minimalist Monbrison at half the price. At these levels, one has definitely entered the realm of 'diminishing returns'. You pick your poison. Plus, AD (may he RIP) was always a Shindo fan and I've never read a review from him where he stated he would be replacing either his Shindo preamp or amp with the piece being reviewed. No surprise there.

As Luxman38 states, the CL-38uSE is the 'sweet-spot' in Luxman preamps.

I don’t think he ever said he prefered the Shindo in the review. He just compared them.

Hi !
This is not so important but I notice that the actual gain of the phono stage, as measured by Hifi news, is VERY different than quoted by the manufacturer. It is not so difficult to announce correctly a gain so I am a bit puzzled... Aren't you ?

already hitting the used markets.... :scratch2:

https://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads/...an-cl-1000.jpg

Sexy!

https://usato.audiograffiti.com/publ...134_GR2N1Q.jpg

:naughty:

I do not have a photo of my CL1000, but I use it as as a digital front end only between my Esoteric X-01XD source and ARC 250SE tube monoblocks driving Saha DAWs. It is a spectacular preamplifier for use in this configuration (without a phono card).

RIP to Art Dudley...

The comparison of retail price of a new unit to used price of old, albeit great sounding preamp is candidly not fair.

Does anybody know if this has Home Theater Pass Through? If you use Roon, can you use the Roon volume control without hurting the sound?